Osteopathic Massage is a multisystem approach to health within the body. Using a variety of techniques including myofascial release, visceral, and craniosacral osteopathic techniques, the therapist assists the clients in improving overall health in their body as a whole. Clients are loosely clothed, or in a tshirt and shorts, which allows the therapist greater freedom in the techniques available to work with each individual.
Osteopathic massage can be beneficial for virtually any condition since it begins with the understanding that all the systems of the body are interconnected, so irritation of one system may manifest as complaints in another system. It is commonly sought out for issues such as:
By searching for and addressing the root cause as opposed to the symptoms, the therapist aims to increase the body’s capacity to heal itself.
Osteopathic massage can be beneficial for virtually any condition since it begins with the understanding that all the systems of the body are interconnected, so irritation of one system may manifest as complaints in another system. It is commonly sought out for issues such as:
- Headaches and migranes
- Post concussion management
- Jaw pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Numbness in the hands
- Breathing difficulties
- Tendonitis/tendonosis in the body
- Digestive complaints
- Low back and SI joint issues
- Leg pain
- Sciatica
- Post injury rehabilitation
- Sports performance
- Stress management and autonomic nervous system dysregulation
By searching for and addressing the root cause as opposed to the symptoms, the therapist aims to increase the body’s capacity to heal itself.
Joe Bentley
Registered Massage Therapist & Osteopathic Manual Therapist
Registered Massage Therapist & Osteopathic Manual Therapist
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While earning a bachelor’s degree at the University of Calgary in Disability Studies (BCR), I competed as a freestyle wrestler at both the varsity and national level. I often used massage as a method of recovery to keep me in peak performance condition, and after University I became more involved in alternative healthcare, especially yoga. In 2009 I took my 200-hour yoga teacher training and began teaching in Calgary.
After graduating in 2010 from the 2200-hour program at the West Coast College of Massage and Hydrotherapy with the highest academic average in the class, I began working in Calgary for the Canadian Sport Institute, treating many of Canada’s high-performance athletes. Since 2010 I have worked for the Canadian Long Track Speed Skating team traveling internationally to World Cups, World Championships, and the 2014, 2018, and 2022 Olympics. In addition to travelling and treating athletes, I have continued to provide treatments for the public, since I believe we all have goals in our lives that massage can help with. These can range from wanting to be the best in the world at a sport to wanting to garden with no back pain or work at the computer without a headache. In the fall of 2019 I began a five year course to complete my goal of becoming an Osteopathic Manual Therapist (OMT). This designation is extremely challenging to attain, as osteopathy begins with the core premise that the body inherently has all the tools necessary to heal itself. Only by knowing all the relevant anatomy, physiology, neurology, lymphatics, cranial anatomy, etc… can the therapist help to remove barriers to the body’s innate ability to heal. Treatment sessions often incorporate multiple modalities to optimize results. I believe that each modality represents a different tool in my toolbox and that the use of each depends on what each individual may need. |